Foster Care Graduate

June 18, 2014

One of our case managers shared a success story with us about a boy who was committed to the Department of Youth Services (DYS) at age eleven. He was placed in foster care with NCYF at age twelve for delinquent behavior, gang involvement, and family instability. He struggled behaviorally and had periods of substance abuse and multiple suspensions from school.

He was placed in a two-parent rural foster home that focused on education and accountability. He began to play sports and settle into the home that offered support and stability. He developed connections to NCYF foster care and school staff, as well as to his community.

He was able to develop positive peer relationships and to maintain his connection to his biological family, who lived out of the area. He made several home visits which were monitored for safety due to his previous gang involvement. He graduated from high school while in NCYF foster care and went on to attend college. He currently works in the social services field, is married and has adopted a child.

The strong connections he made with his foster family continue to this day. He maintains contact with friends from the foster home and with NCYF staff. NCYF recently asked him to present at an agency training regarding youth and their experience in the foster care system. We’re currently in the process of determining the date.